The Bear Necessities showcases Schlie’s recent exploration in what he describes as Support Art, where the product of the artist’s work is not primary to the artist’s ambition. His lack of space to make and store art necessitates the production of tangible objects that are foldable, roll-able, deflate-able, edible, or otherwise ephemeral. Often creating for and/or collaborating with others, Schlie’s practice extends to most facets of his own life: catering, publishing, apprenticing and parenting. Schlie questions the common understanding of what art is, using art as a methodology to better understand the world around him.

The exhibition features work – or activities – that Schlie orchestrates with his children. Stepping down into THE SUB-MISSION, the viewer is transplanted into a basement playroom with remnants of play dates cut short, or in hiatus. Included in the exhibition is a cardboard cutout of a t-shirt typically used as an activity prop for Schlie’s children. Having existed as a picnic blanket and dance floor in the past, the cardboard structure endures as an inert sculpture in The Bear Necessities. Also featured in the show is an installation of cut vinyl text that is placed on the wall by Schlie and his four-year-old son. Letter by letter, aiming for straight lines and in assigned colors, they each install a phrase descriptive of their actions onto the wall.